All Together Now 2025 is well and truly underway! The Thursday evening kickoff got off to a slightly soggy start, with a heavy downpour early in the afternoon putting some early pressure on the site. But by the time I arrived, the clouds had cleared, the sun was beaming, and impressively the ground was holding up just fine. It’s my first time at the Curraghmore Estate and first impressions are strong. The layout is open and inviting, with smooth entry and no delays getting on-site. For an early opening night, the crowd turnout was solid and already in full festival mode.
My first stop was The Well, where T.A. Narrative delivered a really interesting set. There’s something very intimate about this stage. It’s in the heart of a bustling area but when you’re in there it feels like you’re tucked away, almost secretive. The sound held up well and T.A Narrative had a great dynamic energy to them. From there, I headed over to The Bandstand Arena to catch ZASKA, and that’s where things really started to lift. Their funk-infused blend of soul and groove drew a proper gathering, and the golden hour light bouncing off the trees only added to the feel-good atmosphere. It really felt like festival season had arrived.
I wrapped the night back at The Well to see Affection to Rent, an act we’ve covered before and one that continues to evolve with confidence. True to form, their set was a moodier, darker experience than what I had just watched over at the Bandstand Arena, and it worked brilliantly. They pulled a very good crowd and it’s exciting to see how they’re carving out space for themselves in the Irish alt scene.
All in all, Thursday was a calm and enjoyable intro to the weekend. The site’s in great condition despite the earlier rain, the vibe is relaxed but lively, and the programming already feels well-curated. I’m looking forward to getting to grips with the main arena today and seeing what All Together Now 2025 has to offer.
Be sure to catch our Friday review here tomorrow!
T.A. Narrative photos:
ZASKA photos:
Affection to Rent photos:
Photos & Words – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography
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